The $6 Haircut - Creative Thinking in an Ever-Changing Marketplace

Most TV commercials make my eyes glaze over. But there's a commercial running right now for Office Depot that's not only funny, it's pretty darn perceptive.

"This is Dan," the announcer says. Dan owns a neighborhood barber shop. When a new chain-salon opens across the street offering $6 haircuts, Dan is distressed. He can't compete with that price. But Dan is not a man who gives up. Dan is smart. Dan is innovative. Dan shops at Office Depot, which is where he goes to buy everything he needs to make a banner proclaiming "WE FIX $6 HAIRCUTS." Six months later, the chain is out of business, and Dan is sitting pretty.

While the ad didn't make we want to run out and buy office supplies, it did get me thinking about how business owners react to changing trends. Which in turn got me thinking about how I react. As a writer, I'm really a small business owner. My books are my products, and all around me the publishing industry is changing.

Audio books, e-books, Kindle, iPad, Nook, web sites, book trailers, blog tours, social networking... Mark Twain didn't have to deal with any of this stuff! It can be overwhelming to be sure, but it's also invigorating. Today's Authors have more ways to connect with readers than ever before. The challenge is to grow, adapt, find what works for you and your peeps (or Tweets, if you're into that, as I am).

Here are some of the things I've done in my quest to publicize my new book, The Pastor's Wife (did I mention I have a new book coming out?)

• I put together a blog tour
• I created a book trailer
• I blog (obviously)
• I've got a web site (which isn't really new, but it's updated)
• I did an audio interview on FictionAddict.com (a completely new experience for me)
• I've made myself available for speaking engagements and book club visits

At this point, I feel like I've done everything I can do to promote the book, short of visiting Oprah (and if she call, I'm there!) Now, it's time for the readers to decide. Ultimately, they're the ones in charge of the most powerful marketing tool of all: word of mouth buzz.

Writers, what are you doing to market yourself that you never thought you'd do?
Readers, what was the last book you just had to tell your friends about? What made it so special?

Lightbulb photo - Morguefile.com

"The Pastor's Wife" is Ready to Roll!

It's been a long road, but my new book, The Pastor's Wife, is finally hitting shelves (both virtual and physical) on February 1st! My blog tour starts off a few days earlier and is full of interviews, reviews, and quite a few giveaways. I hope you can stop by a few of these fine blogs and share in the fun.

BLOG TOUR SCHEDULE

January 30 - Dina Sleiman/Inkwell Inspirations - http://inkwellinspirations.blogspot.com/
January 31 - Lisa Richardson/Inspired Adventures - http://lisakaronrichardson.blogspot.com/
February 1 - Camy Tang/Camy's Loft - http://www.camys-loft.blogspot.com/
February 1 - Janalyn Voight/Book Reader's Central - http://bookreaderscentral.blogspot.com/
February 2 - Cathy Bryant/Word Vessel - http://wordvessel.blogspot.com/
February 3 - Rose McCauley - http://rosemccauley.blogspot.com/
February 4 - Rel Mollet/Relz Reviews - http://relzreviewz.blogspot.com/
February 6 - Delia Latham/My Book Bag - http://my-book-bag.blogspot.com/
February 6 - Teresa Slack - http://teresaslack.blogspot.com/
February 8 - Trish Perry - http://trishperry.com/
February 9 - Jodie Bailey - http://www.jodiebailey.com/
February 10 - Tiffany Stockton/Amber Stockton - http://www.amberstockton.com/
February 11 - Sarah Varland/Espresso in a Latte World - http://espressoinalatteworld.blogspot.com/ February 12 - Mary Connealy/Seekerville - http://seekerville.blogspot.com/
February 13 - Therese Travis -
February 14 - Brenda Anderson/Spire Reviews - http://spirereviews.blogspot.com/
February 15 - Sherri Ashcraft/The Mother Blog - http://sherrieashcraft.blogspot.com/
February 16 - Christine Cain - http://liztolsma.blogspot.com/
February 17 - D'Ann Mateer/Five Bazillion and One - http://fivebazillionandone.blogspot.com/
February 19 - Miralee Ferrell/Miralee's Desk - http://www.miraleesdesk.blogspot.com/
February 20 - Edwina Cowgill/Musings of Edwina - http://musingsofedwina.blogspot.com/
February 22 - Pam Meyers/A Writer’s Journey - http://www.pammeyerswrites.blogspot.com/
February 23 - Debra Vogts/Country at Heart - http://deborahvogts.blogspot.com/
February 24 - Ane Mulligan/Novel Journey - http://www.noveljourney.blogspot.com/
February 25 - Christa Allan - http://christaallan.com/
February 26 - Peg Phifer/Sips 'n' Cups Cafe - http://www.sipsncupscafe.com/
February 27 - Jeannie Campbell/Where Romance Meets Therapy - http://jeanniecampbell.blogspot.com/
March ? - Tina Dee/The Homestead Heart - http://www.thehomesteadheart.com/

CFBA Presents A LADY LIKE SARAH by Margaret Brownley

This week, the
Christian Fiction Blog Alliance
introduces
A Lady Like Sarah
(Thomas Nelson; Original edition - December 22, 2009)
by
Margaret Brownley


ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Thrills, mystery, suspense, romance: Margaret penned it all. Nothing wrong with this, except Margaret happened to be writing for the church newsletter. After making the church picnic read like a Grisham novel, her former pastor took her aside and said, "Maybe God's calling you to write fiction."

It turns out God was and Margaret did. She now has more than 20 novels to her credit. In addition, she's written many Christian articles and a non-fiction book. Still, it took a lot of prodding from God before Margaret tried her hand at writing inspirational fiction which led to her Rocky Creek series. "I love writing about characters at different stages of faith," she says of the new direction her writing career has taken, "and I'm here to stay."

Happily married to her real-life hero, Margaret and her husband live in Southern California.


ABOUT THE BOOK

Sarah Prescott has never known a respectable life; just a hardscrabble childhood and brothers who taught her to shoot straight.

Justin Wells left Boston in disgrace, heading out alone on the dusty trail to Texas. But when the once-respected clergyman encounters a feisty redhead in handcuffs with a dying US Marshall at her side, their journey takes a dramatic turn.

His high society expectations and Sarah's outlaw habits clash from the start. With a price on her head and a sweet orphan in tow, Justin and Sarah make the difficult journey toward Rocky Creek. There justice will be meted out hopefully with a portion of grace.


If you would like to read the first chapter of A Lady Like Sarah, go HERE

Watch the Book Trailer:




JEN'S THOUGHTS

What does it take for a woman to be a real lady? Is it the way she speaks? The clothes she wears? Or is it the depth of her character? When Pastor Justin Wells first meets Sarah Prescott, there's nothing ladylike about her. Her language is coarse, she dresses like a man, and she's in handcuffs with an injured US Marshall. Forced to travel together, Sarah and Justin forge a strong friendship, despite the initial friction between them. When friendship turns to love, Sarah must trust God for a miracle, because that's the only way she and Justin can be together.

Margaret Brownley has crafted a charming, entertaining novel of life, love, and survival in the American West. In Sarah, she gives us a woman who's been running so long, she believes that's her lot in life. And Justin is leaving his former Boston congregation in shame, his only choice to start a new life in far off Texas. Both have been judged for actions that were not their own, and both must trust God to show them their true selves. A Lady Like Sarah is funny, touching, and a great start to the new Rocky Creek series.

THICKER THAN BLOOD by C.J. Darlington

TitleTrakk.com Blog Tours Presents:

Thicker than Blood
by C.J. Darlington
Published by Tyndale House

Winner of the
2008 Christian Writers Guild
Operation First Novel Contest!

Christy Williams finally has her life on track. She’s putting her past behind her and working hard to build a career as an antiquarian book buyer. But things begin to unravel when a stolen Hemingway first edition is found in her possession, framing her for a crime she didn’t commit. With no one to turn to, she yearns for her estranged younger sister, May, whom she abandoned after their parents’ untimely deaths. Soon, Christy’s fleeing from her shattered dreams, her ex-boyfriend, and God. Could May’s Triple Cross Ranch be the safe haven she’s searching for? Will the sisters realize that each possesses what the other desperately needs before it’s too late?

JEN'S THOUGHTS

CJ Darlington has worked for years to promote the work of Christian artists through the TitleTrakk website, so it's especially gratifying to see her experience a personal moment in the spotlight. In her debut novel, Darlington creates characters who burrow right into your heart. There's Christy, damaged by personal tragedy and strangling guilt. As an antiquarian book buyer, she sees value where others might only see dusty old volumes. Yet she can't find the value in herself. Meanwhile, her younger sister, May, has found a place where she's surrounded by the love of God and caring friends. The two sisters couldn't be more different, yet they're connected by bonds too strong to break.

Darlington moves the story along with realistic dialogue and lots of suspense. The supporting characters are fully formed and add to the tension. If you like suspenseful stories with heart, you might want to give Thicker Than Blood a try. I think you'll enjoy it.


WHAT OTHERS ARE SAYING

With careful attention to detail, emotion, and scene-setting, C.J. Darlington scores with her debut effort. Here is a special writer you won’t want to miss.
--Jerry B. Jenkins, New York Times best selling author

If you love a good read filled with adventure and ultimately redemption, I encourage you to brew the tea, settle into your favorite chair and pick up the page turner that is C.J. Darlington’s imaginative new novel of a modern day sisterhood that triumphs over separation and the raw challenges of life to find the real endurance of both family ties and God’s amazing grace.
--Rebecca St. James, Grammy award winning Christian singer and bestselling author

With Thicker than Blood, C.J. Darlington proves she's a novelist for the long-haul, a strong new voice in Christian fiction. This book speaks to the heart, from the heart, about the heart. Readers will not soon forget it.
--Sibella Giorello, Christy award-winning author of The Rivers Run Dry & The Clouds Roll Away

Watch the book trailer:

About the Author:
C. J. began writing the story that would become Thicker than Blood (her first novel) when she was a fifteen-year-old homeschool student. She has been in the antiquarian bookselling business for over a decade, scouting for stores similar to the one described in the novel before cofounding her own online bookstore. Thicker than Blood was the winner of the 2008 Christian Writers Guild Operation First Novel.

C. J. co-founded the Christian entertainment Web site TitleTrakk.com with her sister, Tracy, and has been actively promoting Christian fiction through book reviews and author interviews. She makes her home in Pennsylvania with her family and their menagerie of dogs and cats. Visit her website http://www.cjdarlington.com/ for more info.

QUICK LINKS:

• The 1st chapter of Thicker than Blood
• The "Story Behind the Story" of Thicker than Blood
• More endorsements from Jenny B. Jones, James Scott Bell, Susan Meissner, and more!
• Our interview with C.J. at TitleTrakk.com
  Buy Thicker than Blood at Christianbook.com
• Buy Thicker than Blood at Amazon.com
• List of the other 85+ Thicker than Blood blog tour participants!

Leno in 2004: "Conan, it's yours"

The folks at FunnyorDie.com have posted the clip from Jay Leno's 2004 announcement about his future with The Tonight Show. It speaks for itself.

Jay's 2004 Announcement - watch more funny videos

Why Not Fly in the First Responders FIRST?

As I was watching NBC Nightly News, something started to bother me. Brian Williams and at least four other reporters (including Ann Curry and Al Roker) are in Haiti right now. Over and over again, Williams commented on how difficult it is to get aid to the people. How it's so difficult to get into the city of Port-Au-Prince. How there are still no rescue to dogs to help search for people who may still be alive under the rubble. How the first American volunteer doctors had just arrived today.

"Where is all the help?" he asked. And all I could think was, All you reporters sure got there fast.

Let me be clear... I have no beef with Brian Williams. In fact, he's probably my favorite anchor. I've got no beef with any of the folks who have gone to Haiti to report on the disaster. They have a job to do and they are doing it admirably. But the reporters were arriving on Wednesday, just one day after the earthquake. Why were they able to get into the city before most of the rescue workers?

Perhaps I'm being a bit too simplistic. Perhaps I'm extremely naive and just don't get how things work. But why couldn't the search and rescue dogs, the volunteer doctors, etc. have been flown in with the reporters? It seems that the most important people to get on a plane bound for an earthquake ravaged city would be those who could physically help the injured and destitute.

 Below is the opening of tonight's NBC Nightly News.

Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy

How to Safely Contribute to Haiti Aid Efforts

Disasters bring out the best in good people and the worst in scam artists. While we all want to do what we can to help the people of Haiti, it's imperative that you know who you're giving your money to. To make things easier, here's a list of legitimate charitable organizations. (Many thanks to MSNBC for compiling this list.)

TO HELP INSTANTLY

Text "HAITI" to 90999 and a donation of $10 will be given automatically to the Red Cross

Text "YELE" to 501 501 to donate $5 to Wyclef Jean's grassroots organization

CALL TO MAKE A DONATION

Action Against Hunger, 877-777-1420

Agape Flights, 941-584-8078

American Red Cross, 800-733-2767

American Jewish World Service, 212-792-2900

AmeriCares, 800-486-4357

Beyond Borders, 866-424-8403

CARE, 800-521-2273

CarmaFoundation

Catholic Relief Services, 800-736-3467

Childcare Worldwide, 800-553-2328

Concern Worldwide, 212-557-8000

Cross International, 800-391-8545

Direct Relief International, 805-964-4767

Doctors Without Borders, 888-392-0392

Feed My Starving Children, 763-504-2919

Food for the Poor, 800-427-9104

Friends of WFP, 866-929-1694

Haiti Children, 877-424-8454

Haiti Foundation Against Poverty

Haiti Marycare, 203-675-4770

Haitian Health Foundation, 860-886-4357

Hope for Haiti, 239-434-7183

International Medical Corps, 800-481-4462

International Rescue Committee, 877-733-8433

International Relief Teams, 619-284-7979

Lutheran World Relief, 800-597-5972

Medical Teams International, 800-959-4325

Meds and Food for Kids, 314-420-1634

Mennonite Central Committee, 888-563-4676

Mercy Corps, 888-256-1900

Operation Blessing, 800-730-2537

Operation USA, 800-678-7255

Oxfam, 800-776-9326

Partners in Health, 617-432-5298

Rural Haiti Project, 347-405-5552

The Salvation Army, 800-725-2769

Samaritan's Purse, 828-262-1980

Save the Children, 800-728-3843

UN Central Emergency Response Fund

UNICEF, 800-367-5437

World Concern, 800-755-5022

World Hope International, 888-466-4673

World Relief, 800-535-5433

World Vision, 888-511-6548

Yele Haiti, 212-352-0552

IF YOU ARE SEEKING INFORMATION ABOUT FAMILY MEMBERS IN HAITI
The U.S. State Department Operations Center said Americans seeking information about family members in Haiti should call 1-888-407-4747.